NH GOP Comments on Judge's Dismissal of Maggie Hassan's Futile Lawsuit

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Republican State Committee released the following statement regarding the dismissal of the lawsuit filed my Maggie Hassan, the State Democratic Party and others against the Speakers Office for the closure of the House Gallery in March, when union workers flooded it to disrupt the process.

“When a Judge calls your lawsuit “moot” and “an exercise in futility” as he throws it out, the political motives of such a lawsuit become clear.  For someone who reportedly wants to run for Governor and be the keeper of the taxpayer dollar, Maggie Hassan certainly showed little restraint in wasting taxpayer money both to defend against the lawsuit on the Speakers office and in the wasting of court time and expenses.

“This lawsuit was nothing more than a headline-grabbing political stunt on the backs of the hardworking New Hampshire citizens who have loudly expressed a desire for fiscal responsibility and restraint.”—Wayne MacDonald, Republican State Committee Chairman.

NH House Speaker Responds to News that Governor Lynch Won’t Seek Re-Election

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien today offered the following comments in response to news that Governor John Lynch will not seek a fifth term.

“I want to thank Governor Lynch for his service and look forward with the hope of working with him on important issues, like passing an education funding constitutional amendment and ensuring that the current budget remains in balance.  The Governor has shown a commitment to New Hampshire by stepping up to serve in what is a difficult job for eight years, and has excelled in offering tremendous calm in times of natural disaster, which has been very reassuring for the state.”

“With the Governor leaving, we must now look to find candidates in 2012 who are committed to economic growth through lifting the burden of taxes and regulation on employers and creating jobs, protecting our personal liberties and passing a constitutional amendment to make it harder to raise taxes, hike fees and borrow from our future to spend more.  I am confident that a number of strong candidates will emerge and we will have a vigorous discussion of the issues next year.”

NHDP Statement on House Republican Speaker Bill O'Brien's Frivolous Lawsuit

Concord, NH - New Hampshire Democratic Party Press Secretary Harrell Kirstein released the following statement concerning the frivolous lawsuit filed today by Republican House Speaker Bill O'Brien.

"It is hard for us to comment on a petition that we have not seen.  That Attorney Douglass saw fit to release it to the press 24 hours before he delivered it to the courts or us shows this is a publicity stunt more than anything else.  Attorney Douglass has previously, and unsuccessfully, sued the Manchester Democratic Committee (the suit was dismissed by the Superior Court) and the state Democratic Party (the New Hampshire Supreme Court dismissed that case).  We are confident that this suit will have the same result.  

"The call very clearly identified where it came from.  Unfortunately Speaker O'Brien wants to waste court resources on something that the Attorney General's Office already settled.   

"We are confident of our position in this matter.  Even the very conservative Union Leader editorial board wrote that entire situation was 'was minor' and 'almost certainly an oversight.'"

House Speaker Responds to News that Public Utilities Commission Head Steps Down

CONCORD – House Speaker William O’Brien today offered the following statement in response to Gov. Lynch’s announcement that Thomas Getz was stepping down as Chairman of the Public Utilities Commission at the start of 2013.

House Speaker William O’Brien

“I wish Mr. Getz well in his return to the private sector and thank him for his 15 years of service to the citizens of New Hampshire.  Governor Lynch should begin the search now to find a strong replacement who is committed to restoring free market principles to our utility services.  New Hampshire has among the highest energy costs nationally and we need a Public Utilities Commission that is committed to reducing these costs to make our state more competitive so that we can bring good, new jobs here.  This represents an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the PUC that will put our ratepayers first and ensure that they are receiving the best value possible for their hard-earned money.”

In Difficult District for Democrats, Republican Kevin Janvrin's Win in Rockingham-14 Special Election Bad News for Extreme State House Republicans

In Difficult District for Democrats, Republican Kevin Janvrin's Win in Rockingham-14 Special Election Bad News for Extreme State House Republicans, Rejection of Speaker O'Brien's Out of Touch Agenda

Concord, N.H. - New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley released the following statement after tonight's special election in Rockingham 14.

"Tonight's win by Republican Kevin Janvrin, a pro-labor, anti-Right to Work for Less Republican who defeated Speaker O'Brien's choice in the primary, once again shows that voters are outraged with Speaker Bill O'Brien and the extreme New Hampshire State House Republicans who consistently put the interests of corporations ahead of working Granite Staters.

"Showing the extreme dissatisfaction of Republicans with tonight's win, members of Speaker O'Brien's caucus spent the past few weeks campaigning on behalf of the Libertarian candidate Brendan Kelly.

"Janvrin spoke of Speaker O'Brien's caucus to the Portsmouth Herald 'I think the problem is the agenda has been so far to the right that it makes moderate Republicans look a lot like Democrats.'  

"We agree. The message Granite State voters have sent in these past three elections is clear. Even in the most Republican districts in the state, Granite Staters know that Speaker O'Brien's extreme agenda is failing us, and they've rejected it again tonight."

"Ryan Mahoney exceeded expectations in one of the most Republican districts in the state and we applaud his efforts tonight."